702: 242: Why is it different from that time with KG!?
(Asking for monthly tickets!)_3 702: 242: Why is it different from that time with KG!?
(Asking for monthly tickets!)_3 Such acclaim was the source of Jamal Mashburn’s confidence.
He looked at Roger dribbling beyond the three-point line and smiled radiantly, “Sing me a Christmas song, and if you sing well, I’ll give you a little dignity today.”
“Jamal,” Roger didn’t mind fighting on two fronts between Spree and Mashburn, “How about you play Santa’s little helper for me, and I’ll consider just scoring 20 points tonight, to leave you a bit of dignity.”
“Hah, 20 points on a 30% shooting rate?”
“At least 50% shooting rate.”
Having said that, Roger started his move with the ball.
Jamal Mashburn immediately moved sideways, but Roger deftly dribbled under his legs and got past the defense.
But just as he broke past Mashburn, PJ Brown immediately stepped up to defend.
This was the secret to Jamal Mashburn being able to defend Roger last season.
Countless examples have proven that there isn’t a player in the league who can reduce Roger’s shooting percentage to below 40% on their own.
Last season, the Heat could limit Roger because, with Big Ben and Kurt Thomas on the court at the same time, the Heat’s power forward could unreservedly help defend against Roger.
With PJ Brown, a defensively excellent player, starting at power forward, his defense combined with Big Ben’s offense allowed Jamal Mashburn to earn the title of “Roger Killer.”
Yes, Big Ben’s offense was an indispensable part of the Heat’s ability to restrict Roger.
His offense couldn’t just be described as poor because everyone knew his offensive stats looked ugly.
What’s truly remarkable is that, despite rarely taking difficult shots, Big Ben’s true shooting percentage over his career was only 47%.
His ability to cut to the basket wasn’t sharp, lacking any synergy with the ball, the basketball in his hands wasn’t as comfortable as a barber’s clippers.
He had no ball-handling skills, even with very short ball possessions, his turnover rate was frighteningly high.
Besides dunking, it was hard to imagine any other offensive moves from Big Ben, and coupled with a free-throw percentage that would even embarrass O’Neal, he was fully capable of competing for the title of the worst offensive player in NBA history.
If there was any merit to his offensive role, it was his excellent ability to fight for offensive rebounds.
His offensive rebound rate last season was better than any season of Duncan’s career.
Therefore, playing Marion at power forward this season and moving the offensive black hole that is Big Ben to center was like upgrading the Hawks’ offense from a cleaver to an express delivery service.
When PJ Brown, just like last year, unreservedly double-teamed Roger, Roger simply tossed the ball into the air.
Marion, with his excellent sense for off-ball movement, had already started cutting to the basket.
He caught the ball with his explosive athletic ability and dunked before Mourning could react, completing an alley-oop with Roger!
Roger believed that the smart PJ Brown wouldn’t dare to double-team him so recklessly on defense anymore.
And that would be the beginning of Jamal Mashburn’s demise.
“Jamal, aren’t you almost 30?
Why do you still need others to wipe your ass?” Roger mercilessly taunted Jamal Mashburn, determined to strip away the so-called “Roger Killer” facade today.
“You’re not the one scoring!”
The Heat counterattacked, Sprewell tried going one-on-one against Pierce, sending this overly confident rookie to his demise.
But his aggressive stop-and-jump shot under Pierce’s tight defense missed.
Since changing his habit of recklessly going for steals and blocks, Pierce, during one-on-one defense, constantly emphasized maintaining position to reduce the quality of his opponent’s shots.
In fact, aside from last game’s dispute, Paul Pierce had completely lived up to expectations this season.
Defensively, he pushed himself to unprecedented heights, as if wearing scales that could scorch his opponents.
On offense, he found his role, effortlessly switching between off-ball and on-ball, taking over when necessary.
Considering he had been stabbed 13 times just a month before the season started, his performance was even more astounding.
This is why Pippen said Pierce didn’t deserve such blame.
He had performed very well throughout the season, just getting confused in the last game.
Young guys, occasional slip-ups could be tolerated.
Pierce perfectly defended Sprewell, a stark contrast to last season when he repeatedly got played due to reckless actions by Spree.
“Does a stinking stray dog even deserve to provoke the King?” Pierce shook his head and trash-talked.
“Shut up, I won’t allow you to insult Latrell so rudely,” Roger interjected, “I’ve never seen such a weak stray dog.”
Few noticed a detail—this season, Roger and Pierce also reached a synergy in trash-talking that was greater than the sum of its parts.
Last season, Roger and Pierce basically trash-talked independently.
But this season, they would cleverly join in on each other’s trash-talk from time to time, providing a more exquisite experience for their opponents.
Spree clenched his fists, his mind filled with thoughts of making Roger and Pierce look as embarrassed as KG.
The game continued, Roger initiated an attack with the ball, since Pierce would focus primarily on limiting Sprewell today, Roger would have to take more shooting responsibilities.
This time, while breaking past Mashburn again, Roger just glanced at Marion in the crowd, causing PJ Brown’s double-team to hesitate.
Taking advantage of PJ Brown’s moment of hesitation, Roger executed his signature turnaround jump shot.